We are incredibly thrilled to introduce Nancy Rink of Nancy Rink Designs, our newest Aurifil Designer. Getting to Know Hue is her latest collection with Marcus Fabrics. Nancy’s goal was to craft a collection that featured small motifs in a variety of blendable colors. In approaching the color palette, she pulled out her collection of Kaffe Fassett prints, because she is always on the lookout for blenders that work with his prints. In the end, the group was narrowed down to 28 colors, 9 neutrals, and two 60″ wide multi-prints. Everything you could possibly need to make a stunning quilt!
But Nancy didn’t stop there… she reached out to us to put together a coordinating thread collection. A Large box of 50wt threads and a small box of 28wt thread – Nancy’s go-tos for piecing, quilting, and appliqué.
And then… She made a GORGEOUS quilt and turned it into a BOM, currently being offered by your favorite local quilt shop! My goodness we’re feeling inspired!
[learn more about Nancy’s inspiration here]
THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Getting to Know Hue
12 Large Spools, 50wt (1422yds/spool), 100% Aurifil Cotton
2026 – 2140 – 2150 – 2265 – 2535 – 2540
2625 – 2630 – 2810 – 5016 – 5018 – 6738
10 Small Spools, 28wt (54yds/spool), 100% Aurifil Cotton
1148 – 2134 – 2440 – 2540 – 2588
2810 – 2815 – 2892 – 5016 – 5018
To view this info on our website, click the images above. For purchasing, please contact your local Aurifil Dealer.
THE INTERVIEW
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first got started in the world of sewing and quilting?
I live in Bakersfield, which is in the central valley of California. Many people know Bakersfield because it is the home of “the Bakersfield Sound” a gritty, twangy, honky-tonk country music style made popular by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. NASCAR driver, Kevin Harvick hails from Bakersfield—in fact, he was one of my junior high students back in the day!
My grandmother taught me to sew when I was little. For many years I only did garment sewing, and while I was in college I made and altered a lot of costumes for the university’s theater productions.
In 2010 I began designing patterns to feature Marcus Fabric’s new collections. In 2011, Amish With A Twist, my first Marcus BOM debuted in my first ever Quilt Market booth. Geez, was I nervous about it, wondering if anyone would like it enough to buy the pattern. Apparently, the folks at Marcus were happy because they invited back to do Amish with a Twist II and Amish with a Twist III. Lately, I’ve had a few customers asking me when Amish IV would be coming out!
Since then, I have designed roughly one BOM each year for Marcus Fabrics. In 2012, “Tweet for Two”, my first fabric collection hit the shelves. That was definitely a “pinch me” moment.
Did you have another career prior to this one?
I taught Junior High and High School English and Math for over 20 years.
Do you remember the process of making your first quilt and how you felt once it was complete?
What inspired me to start quilting was an article in a magazine that I purchased while checking out at the grocery store. I read it and thought “I can do that!” Up to that point I had done a lot of garment sewing and just figured if I could set in a sleeve or line a jacket, I should be able to make a quilt. That first quilt had a lot of 5/8” seams! Also, I used an old sheet as the backing. Needless to say, hand quilting it was a bear, and my stitches were huge! There are so, so many things wrong with that quilt—but ignorance was bliss. Somewhere along the way, I checked out a book from the library on how to quilt. What an epiphany!
Who or what has been your greatest creative inspiration?
Inspiration seems to be everywhere and thanks to the internet we can see more quilts than ever. I personally spend far too much time on Instagram looking at art that people are making. But perhaps the tool that transformed me from maker to designer is Electric Quilt. Early on, I got on board with EQ, spending hours “making” quilts. When I am designing a fabric collection I work back and forth between Photoshop and EQ, tweaking my fabrics until they look just right in the EQ quilt I’ve designed to accompany the collection.
Can you tell us a bit more about Getting to know Hue and what inspired the collection?
Getting to Know Hue is my newest fabric collection for Marcus Fabrics’ Studio 37 division. It is a basics collection of tonal prints in 28 colors, 9 neutrals, and two 60″-wide prints. When developing the color palette for the collection, I referred to my collection of Kaffe Fassett prints and florals because I wanted some tonals that I could use with them. Also important was making sure there was a light, medium, and dark in each color I chose. Here are some swatches from GTKH on the right with some of Kaffe’s swatches on the left. I cannot wait to have time to play with all of these!
We absolutely love the Getting to know Hue quilt — how did you go about pulling that together for the BOM and what excites you most about the program?
When I was developing the GTKH fabric collection I knew I was going to also be designing a BOM to go with it. That was where Electric Quilt proved invaluable. My initial set of swatches numbered well over 50. I imported all of them into EQ and through trial and error was able to trim the collection down to a reasonable number of pieces. It’s also worth noting that my first BOM concept was NOTHING like the final quilt. What excites me most about the program is that there are so many options. There are three different background options: light, medium, and dark. And there are three different center star options: lone star, Improv star, and Strippy Star.
Here is an EQ image of the Improv Star option:
And here is the medium background quilt with the Lone Star center option coming off the longarm:
Do you have other favorite projects that have been made with the collection?
Currently, I am working on three different quilts using a 2 1/2″-wide strip pack that will preview at Spring Quilt Market in the Studio 37 booth. The strip pack will consist of 20 prints from the GTKH collection, and all three of the quilts will be available in a single pattern called “Strip It Three Ways: Series 4”.
What is your favorite quilting technique and why?
Appliqué is my absolute favorite! If I had all the time in the world, I would do nothing but hand applique’. Since that’s not the case, I do a lot of machine applique’ and have gotten pretty adept at both prepared edge machine applique’ and raw edge applique’. GTKH features a touch of applique which I edge finished with Aurifil 28 wt thread. All the thread colors I used on my quilt are included in my new Aurifil GTKH 28 wt thread set.
Here’s a shot of the how fantastic the 28 wt thread looks on the quilt!
By the way, all the quilting was done with colors from the GTKH 50wt thread box.
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
I have been using Aurifil thread for quite a long while now, and have been singing its praises to anyone who will listen. I love that the 50wt thread is strong enough to use on my longarm and fine enough to be used for hand appliqué. To me it is the finest all around thread on the market, hands down. The fact that it is an incredibly low-lint thread is an added plus.
Do you have a favorite color/weight and why?
Numbers 2000, 2014, and 2600 have been my go-to colors for piecing for years. Recently, I have been using a lot of 6725 and 6730. For machine quilting I’ve found that 2130, a soft yellow, 2886, a pistachio green, and 2310, a neutral beige are my go-to colors for all over quilting.
What’s in store for 2017? Where can we find you this year?
In addition to “Getting to Know Hue”, I have another fabric collection called “Remember Red” in the works. Red is my favorite color so I am eager for this line to come out–hopefully in time so I can show samples in the Studio 37 booth at Spring Quilt Market. I am also already hard at work on my 2018 BOM–yes, it takes that long–about a year from start to finish to bring a BOM to life.
Because my husband Oliver retired and our daughter just had our first grandchild, this year I am staying close to home. I am visiting a few guilds for trunk shows and workshops, but for the most part, I’ll be in my studio creating or at home enjoying the grandbaby.
THE GIVEAWAY
To enter-to-win 1 Large Getting to Know Hue Thread Collection and one Getting to Know Hue Fat Quarter Bundle by Nancy Rink for Marcus Fabrics, click here to head to the Rafflecopter entry page, or simply click on the image above. You do not have to complete all the options to be entered but the more options you choose, the more entries you have! Entries will be accepted from now through 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, February 11. Winner will be randomly selected and announced here on Sunday, February 12. Giveaway is open to our international friends! Good luck!
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed – Congratulations to our winner, Cinda Dickson Thompson!
ABOUT NANCY
Website — Blog — Facebook — Instagram — Pinterest
In April 2004 Nancy was the featured artist at the Best of the Valley Quilt Show in Tulare, California. Bobbie Moore, the show’s organizer was quoted in the Bakersfield Californian, saying “Rink’s work is especially unusual. She’s an appliqué artist and her stitches are almost invisible, they’re exquisite. She makes beautiful use of color and motion in her work.”
Nancy has won several awards for her quilting. At the 2004 Houston International Quilt Festival, Remembrance of Nanny and Desert Star were both given Honorable Mentions. Also in 2004, Dogtooth Violets earned one of the top awards in the Kaufman Quilt Quest. Most recently, Emerald Spring won a first place in Mixed Techniques at Road to California. She has won awards at other national shows including the Pacific International Quilt Festival, the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, and the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show. And Desert Star, the first place winner in the 2002 From the Mills Contest, was on display at the American Textile History Museum.
Nancy’s quilts have been featured in magazines such as Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, Quiltmaker, and Quilt. Other quilts have appeared in calendars and books and on websites. “Quilting has been an incredible journey,” says Nancy, “and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!” (more here)
[Images and text courtesy of Nancy Rink Designs and Marcus Fabrics]
I have participated in a BOM, both on line and at my local quilt shop. Each has its own appeal. On line: so many great choices. In store: quilter comraderie.
Yes, I have been doing BOM with local quilt shops and online for over twenty years. I love it. It’s a little like coming together with family once a month and sharing something that made you happy.
I’ve never done a block of the month before, but it sounds like fun! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Beautiful colors! Would love to win this collection.
I have participated in a several BOMs. I am planning on doing the Getting to Know Hue BOM too. I just love that quilt!
I’ve started a couple of BOM’s. Finishing them has been the challenge! The colors of this collection and the lone star quilt are beautiful!
I have participated in BOMs and last year was the first year I kept up! 🙂
I am currently participating in a BOM at my LQS-The Sister Sampler. I haven’t done one online but I’m thinking about joining one or more!
Your quilts are just beautiful-what a talent! I have been part of a BO M and am looking forward to yours in 2018! Thank you, Susan
i love boms, i currently am doing 2 of them. when you only do a block or two a month it gives you lots of time to work on other projects.
Yes, I have signed up for lots of BOM’s, pretty much all freebies. I can’t afford those that aren’t.
I’m looking forward to starting this BOM in March at Quilters Destination
One of my first quilts was a BOM ~ I learned a lot! Thanks for the chance ~ fingers crossed!!
I participated in one BOM at a local quilt shop. It was a variations in baskets quilt top. I didn’t care for several of the blocks, but I did complete it. My hubby said it looked great. I donated it with hopes they would raffle it to raise money. I enjoyed the concept and will make another.
Ive not done any BOMs because I normally just want to do my own thing.
Love your new fabric & thread collection!
thanks!
I’m just starting this BOM quilt at Sew Inspired Quilt Shop.
The design, fabrics and threads are gorgeous!
I have participated in 3 BOM’s at local quilt stores, it was fun but now I am more confident regarding color and like to do my own thing.
I love BOM. They are nicely paced and easy to reach the goal!!
I have done a couple small project (wallhangings) BOM….free online. Were fun…but I am still not ready for a super intricate BOM yet! lol
Thank you for chance to win this Awesome Give-a-way! Her quilts are GORGEOUS & the fabrics & threads are too!! 🙂
I have participated in several BOMs and have enjoyed sewing a block at a time. I love the colors of the fabrics in the GTKH line. I wish there were more photos of them. Thanks for the chance to win the thread collection.
I have done BOM’s at the LQS where you buy the first block kit and when you bring it back finished the next month, the next kit is free and so on.
I haven’t done any BOM’s yet. I have seen several that look interesting.
i have done a BOM through the LQS and enjoyed it but know that for me I have to keep up or it turns into another UFO…. sometimes my sewing side is nothing but adhd. ….lol…
It’s been a number of years since I last participated in a BOM. Keeps you focused and on track to complete the quilt. Thanks for the opportunity to win this wonderful fabric collection and thread !!
I’ve done many BOMs, but this one is gorgeous!
I have only done a couple of BOMs
I have participated in BOMs. They are a fun way to try something new.
I love everything about this Nancy !! The fabric, the quilts, the quilting, and especially that lovely collection of 28wt thread!! A girl after my own heart. Thanks for sharing your talents.
I have done many BOM series.
I have done two mystery quilts, new block every month, does that count?
Yes i joined several BOM’s local and online. Love the sharing of inspiration in both ways!
I have participated in a BOM but did not finish. Would like to try others.
I have joined a couple BOM’s online. And even if I didn’t complete the entire series, they often became inspiration for other projects.
This month is the first time I’ve ever been involved with BOM and I’m really enjoying it.
This is way more helpful than anynhitg else I’ve looked at.
Curmudgeonly but nonetheless charming… I thought curmudgeonly was charming! Especially when delivered with a proper British accent. I’d be thrilled to be told by say, John Cleese, to piss off. It would be a verbal symphony.
Dejlige billeder, Lone – men hvor er der dog mange mennesker i Frederiksberg Have! Det ligner fluepapir.Til gengæld hørte vi vedens dÃ¥rligste bÃ¥ltale. Det var vores borgmester, der talte, og der var hverken hoved eller hale i den – men sÃ¥ fik vi det at more os over :O)
Beautiful colors and fun pattern.
Not yet
Yes I have done BOM but like to pick my own fabrics, so mine is different from the rest ❤️😀👍
No, but its o my bucket list
I did my first two BOM’S last year. One is complete and on my guest bed and the other one the top is complete and waiting for me to quilt it. I really enjoyed doing them.
No, but I hope to start one later this year, after we have moved.
Haven’t been part of a formal BOM program yet, but I hope to soon.
I have done a Mystery BOM. That was fun.
I have never done a BOM because I usually work on one project at a time.
I’ve done two BOMs, one in a store and one by mail. It is amazing how fast the year flies by when you have a block or two to get done every month and are waiting for the mail man to bring the new packet.
ljbisme at msn dot com
I have done several BOMS both on-line and at a LQS. I love them! I like that you aren’t making a bunch of the same block all at once and you get to learn new techniques with them!
I have never done a BOM because I usually work on one project at a time>usually my quilting is for local charities! Thank You for sharing a nice Giveaway!
I participated in two BOMs in 2016 and am doing another one this year. I enjoy them, especially since the amount of sewing to do in one month is quite doable even with my health issues. Now, I just have to finish the actual quilts.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I have participated in 3. One around d 7 years ago in Sylvania, OH and two online this past year (splendid sampler & 2016 Aurifil Designer of the Month)
The colors are amazing !
I have participated in the Aurifil Designer of the Month BOMs… and have enjoyed that!
(Beautiful colors!!)
Pat T.
Yes, I did a star quilt BOM and loved every minute of it. BOM’s are so much fun!
I started a BOM online once, but couldn’t keep up.
I’m about to finish the 2016 Aurifil DOM with Pat Sloan! Love it!
And I began another!
I haven’t ever done a bomb, but I’d like to!
Caltexgal@aol.com
When I first started quilting about 8 years ago, I did three BOM’s at my local QS. It was great fun.
I love this quilt. I’ve done a few BOMs, and shop hop quilts. I’m working on finishing some this year. My UFO list has too many! lol
Yes. I enjoy, and participate in BOM’s. Nancy colors are so deep, just lovely.
Not yet, always leary about a block being too hard for me to do.
Beautiful quikts! I
have never done
BOM before.
Carla from Utah
Sorry, supposed
to be quilts!
Carla from Utah
I have participated in 9 boms. All of them were mailed to me and I really loved that feeling of getting a present every month. I would love to do one of Nancy’s and have stared at them with longing many times.
I guess I’ve started about six BOMs. Unfortunately, I get sidetracked easily and never finish them. Lol
Yes, i have participated in several but only completed one!
Truly I am someone who is better at just finishing all at once. I don’t do well with BOM’s. Your pattern and fabrics are my colors and style. Wonderful!
I’ve don BOMs from my LQS and online. I love learning new techniques with these programs.
I’ve done a BOM with Wendy Sheppard and I’m currently doing one with Pat Sloan. They are fun and good motivation!
Yes, I have done several BOMs and have a group that I lead that we did BOM for 2 years.
No, I have not participated in a block of the month, but I have been thinking about getting involved. I love your quilts, by the way.
I have participated in several BOMs, and I have enjoyed them all.
I love BOMs – have done several, planned several for my guild and pattern tested one too!!!
I have participated in a few BOM’s through my local quilt shop and online. I love the Visiting Huber fabric line, lots of bright cheerful fabrics.. just what I love!!
I absolutely love her Amish With a Twist series! I did the first one.
I’m sorry I got so excited that I didn’t read the question….no I haven’t ever participated in the BOM before. I really should give it a try though.
And BTW, I am working on a Nancy Rink Design quilt called It’s Intriguing and I am loving it. It’s a little challenging for me but I’m getting there. Some of those colors would look amazing with that quilt. Love her designs, love Aurifil (my number one choice), and love the fabric included in the kit. In fact, loved it so much I ordered more from her website for the backing, just received it today. It feels so amazing, really quality fabric.
Unfortunately, I have never participated in a BOM. I just don’t have the time right now as I work full time. But I will be retiring in about a year, and should be able to participate then. Thanks!
I have not joined a BOM although I have sometimes collected the patterns. I might want to work on them in the future.
Love your new BOM, especially the improv star version. I have never completed a BOM but have been tempted a few times (i HAVE COMMITMENT issues 🙂
I have participated in a couple of BOM’s, and have been tempted by many more.
I have never participated in a BOM. I’ve always had to many projects going to be able to keep up. Kerry-ryan (at) att (dot) net
I have just started my first block of the month project. So far so good!
I did a mystery quilt once, but never an official BOM.
Yes I have participated in a BOM, they are fun.
I did several quilt shop block of the month quilts and I am participating in an Instagram based one now So much fun to see how everyone interprets the blocks.
I organized a BOM for my local quilt shop several years ago. Great experience!
I have participated in one BOM at a shop a couple years ago. I love, love, love the fabric/pattern/quilting on the Lone Star Center quilt. Too stunning for words.
Not yet!
I’ve made three quilt blocks in my entire 50+ years of sewing, and those in the last year. I’m gaining a little bit of confidence and have enjoyed looking at all the beautiful blocks bloggers have posted!
I am in 3 BOM of the month now and I love them!
I have done various BOMS over the years. Last year I did Aurifil’s for the first time and loved it! This year I am leading a group of ladies in doing Aurifil’s BOM and we are having a lot of fun.
I have participated in several BOM’s over the years. They are a lot of fun to participate in.
No, I have never tried a BOM. I’ll have to do that soon.
I’ve done quite a few BOM’s the last couple of years. I’m able to dug out my coveted fabrics I’ve collected over the years! Stash busting!!
I have done a couple of BOMs. I guess they were more like quilt-alongs since everyone picked their own fabric and patterns were released each month. Regular BOMs are usually too expensive for me.
I have done four BOM’s and several quilt a longs. This year I am doing seven quilt a longs, at least so far. I like to do a block a month but like using my own fabric.
I have participated in several BOMs.
I have never participated in a BOM before. I am afraid I would lose interest before the project was completed just because of the waiting.
Love the beautiful colors you chose of Aurifil thread! Your work is truly amazing!
I have never participated in a BOM club.
I’ve taken part in BOM’s with other bloggers.
I love BOM’s but don’t always finish them! Am I the only one?
I’ve done a BOM but have not yet put it together. I loved it but sometimes hated having to wait a month for the next block. I would love to win this giveaway. Thanks for the chance!
I have completed three BOM quilts.
I have participated in several BOMs both online and in store. They each have their own appeal. Most are still works in progress, however I completed each block each month for the store BOM. I just haven’t finished it yet. And, I’ve started several new BOMs or sew-alongs. I think they are addictive.
I’m a total sucker for a BOM–I’ve done more than I can count!
I have done a BOM before but it was a long time ago.
I have done BOM’S before, enjoy the pace of 30 days to fit a block construction into my schedule.
never done a BOM — too fussy about being able to make my own fabric choices. Do love Nancy’s GTKH colors — this might be a first for me!
I have done several, in fact that is how I began my quilting journey.
Love this pattern and would love to do the BOM. The colors are fantastic!
I have done, (or I should say participated in!), many Block of the Month programs. I haven’t finished any of them yet. I have got to get them done! I have done three Block of the Week quilts and I have finished the first two of those and am in the middle of finishing the last one up now.
Just love your jewel colors.I have participated twice in BOMs
Never did a block of the month. Have a bunch on my to do list. Beautiful quilts, fabrics and threads.
I have done a block of the month and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Just a couple. Doing one block at a time, I forget to do them and struggle to finish the quilt. I guess I prefer to see the whole thing first so I can cut it all out at the same time. But I love the concept and always want to start another. Thanks.
I have done 2 mystery BOM through my guild and I am registered to do this years also. They have been lots of fun, especially not knowing the final outcome.
I have not yet participated in a BOM, although I hope to soon.
I enjoy BOMs and this one has been tempting me. Nancy always has fabulous designs and uses such great color combos.
Wow! absolutely beautiful quilts! Love the vibrant colors.
Beautiful colours. I have never done BOM. But this many get me to try.
I participated in a BOM at my local quilt store. Lots of fun!